Hi people. What is Hot Springs, Arkansas like please?

[mahina]

I might be moving there one day and I admit some trepidation at the thought of moving into a community that is very red. Just never lived in a community like that.

Long story short my family has some land that was my great grandmother’s that my Auntie has been paying taxes on since the 80s. None of the other great grands care to consider moving to Arkansas. We all live in Mass, California and Hawaii.

It is undeveloped land with trees on a hill surrounded by cousins.

I’m sure it doesn’t have water or electricity. I would definitely want water service. Electricity we can make ourselves. ☀️

I was thinking of taking over the tax payments to have a place on the continent to make home base if (when, sorry) climate change clobbers Hawaii. My beautiful home, as we say, ke one hanau, the land of my birth.

I know not a soul in Arkansas. Our distant cousins are very “conservative” and very Religious a capital R.

My Great Grandmother was beautiful and funny. I look more like her than anyone else but she was tall and I am...not.

Thought I might see what it’s like there this summer but covid has moved that off the table entirely till there is treatment and a vaccine.

Aloha, and thanks
Ps anyone care to refer me to a good (fair, competent) builder there for a modest cottage? Mahalo 🤙🏼

[Patterson]

1. It's actually a pretty good place. It has a Sam's, Lowe's, Books a Million, etc. and several good...

...restaurants, 2 hospitals, yet is not a big city at all. The main thing is make sure you have good fast reliable internet where you settle.

[mahina]

2. Oh good point!

Thank you.

[Patterson]

3. About the politics, it's no worse than any other red state. You'll see some homemade crazy signs...

and some rebel flags out in the country. The governor is conservative but he's not crazy. He and the Republican congress have passed the Medicaid option every year. The scenery and lakes are great. It's less than an hour to Little Rock. The northwest quadrant of the state is scenic, starting around Hot Springs. You can probably pick up the Little Rock TV station on over the air antenna but I can't swear to it. There are plenty of doctors and you can go to Little Rock if you need more choice. The Southern Hospitality is pretty abundant.

[mahina]

7. We drove across the country a few times in the 70s but I haven't been to a red state since.

Breaking my personal bubble!

Hospitality- Hawaii is like that too, in our better moments.

[flyingfysh]

4. As the name implies, it actually does have hot springs

I used to have an aunt who lived there, but I don't remember much about it. The bath houses (and casinos, I think) are still in business. Check it out on the web.

It is reasonably close to Lake Ouachita, which is very scenic. My grandfather used to take me out on it fishing.

Another area you should visit when you can, is Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I hear that would be a very interesting area to spend some time in. Among other things, it has a hotel which is 7 stories tall, but which has a street level entrance on every floor!

[flyingfysh]

5. check out Bathhouse Row

Some of the places it includes are Buckstaff Baths and Fordyce Bathhouse.

[mahina]

6. Thank you. We are supposed to be part Ouachita which would explain some things :)

Wish I could go sooner. Mahalo.

[flyingfysh]

15. Here is some information about the Ouachita indians

This is from https://www.lakeouachita.org/lake-ouachita-indian-mounds

"Indians were the first to inhabit the Ouachita Valley. The River and Lake derive their name from the Washita Indian tribe, other Indian tribes living along the banks of the Ouachita included the Caddo, Osage, Tensas, Chickasaw, and Choctaw. “Washita” is an Indian word meaning “good hunting grounds” and “sparkling silver water."

There is much more at the web site.

[mahina]

12. That does sound interesting.

I’m feeling good about exploring the possibilities.

I would have thought if I were looking for a mainland home base I would look on the East or West coast. I’m expanding options

[Laffy Kat]

8. It's been at least 40 years since I visited.

What I remember: The Arlington Hotel is where we usually stayed because my folks enjoyed the spa. There was a little tourist trap museum called the "IQ Zoo" where you could watch chickens play the piano, etc., and for a little kid that was awesome. Oh, and on one side of the main drag you could get beer while the other side was dry! I'm sure that's changed, though. I remember it as being a charming town.

[mahina]

11. You cracked me up

Completely. On the floor. HA!

[WhiteTara]

9. exactly where is your land?

There are a lot of different areas around there and each has its own "personality" The diamonds and crystals are in the area.

[mahina]

10. PM ing you

[quickesst]

13. I was born in Hot Springs Arkansas....

.... and it's where I lived up until about 7 years ago when we moved to be closer to our son, daughter-in-law , and grandchildren. But for them that is where I would be living right now. I love Hot Springs. These tour videos will give you a better idea of what it's like. Two thumbs up from me.

https://m.

https://m.

Lots more videos at YouTube. Use search and type in Tour of Hot Springs Arkansas.

[mahina]

17. Cool! Thank you!

It looks much different than I imagined and much much prettier!

[quickesst]

18. you're welcome

If you end up moving there, I wish you all the best.

[mahina]

20. So there are Democrats there!

Or were?
🤙🏿🤙🏼🤙🏾🤙🏽🤙😆

[quickesst]

21. like most of the rest of Arkansas....

.... it does lean conservative, but, I could not love a city more that I do Hot Springs, nor could I give it such a high recommendation to anyone if it were anything but a great place to live. As I told you in my previous post, if it weren't for my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren it's where we would be right now. Hot Springs did lose two Democrats when we moved, but in the end it will gain those same two Democrats back again. Only difference is, we won't be able to vote.

[mahina]

22. I finally got it

😇

While we’re in the top in, wiukd you know any contractors, mechanics, doctors and dentists that you might Rec as well?

I feel like the insensitive neighbor in the tv commercial (for who? Dunno) who asks their neighbor for a recommendation and all kinds of other stuff - and it’s just like that. And I am sorry. Tell you what I’ll give you all the good things about Honolulu! And there are many…honestly though, since were talking it would be immensely helpful.

My mechanic is half the reason I feel like I can’t leave Honolulu 😆

Also why does only 53% of the town have internet access? Can that be right? Is coverage so limited and service providers so few?

I feel like I should send you a box of chocolate Mac nuts. I will! Pm me ❤️
🤙🏿🤙🏼🤙🏽🤙🏾🤙🤙🏿🤙🏿

[quickesst]

23. I can't really speak to internet access

Has been quite a while since we moved, but as I remember, I never had any problem accessing the internet. I did find this page you might check out. It's got a lot of info on it.
https://broadbandnow.com/Arkansas/Hot-Springs

I get almost all of my medical care from the VA, but my wife's doctor for many years was Dr Diane Bodeman. She loves this woman, and I can't remember the last time she called her Dr Bodeman. It has always been simply "Dr. Diane".
https://www.chistvincent.com/physicians/diane-bodemann

As far as auto mechanics go, it's something you might want to ask around from some of the locals, but when I lived there and had an issue I could not repair myself, I always went to Chapmond Automotive. It looks like the younger generation has taken the reins, but as I understand it, they are still carrying on excellent work.
https://www.chapmondautomotive.com/

My son was stationed in Hawaii for quite a while. They absolutely loved it. Hope this helps you a little.

[mahina]

24. You're very kind to take the time, mahalo nui. I'm very grateful. No kidding, please pm me

A delivery address and there’s a box of chocolate Mac nuts inbound.

Aloha no Quickest. Wishing you all happiness.

[sigpooie]

14. Welcome to a place we all can enjoy.

Thanks to legal gambling, beatiful lakes , streams and mountains, you have a town that has a little bit of everything you need. Cool people who don't care how crazy you are, make this city a unique Austin texas vibe.
Early 1900s buildings built on a live volcano have survived and have developed into some of the best neighboorhoods in the counrty. Hookers brought in when gambling was big and run by Chicago mobs have left this town with very beatiful women.
Our family has always had houseboats or cabins on the lakes since the 60s and our youngest generation has taken this to new levels of sports snd fun. Come spend a month here and you will want to stay or at least visit again and again.

[mahina]

16. Well thank you.

I appreciate that.

Not sure if I will be able to make friends and become part of a new community but I will find ways to help others and that helps.

I’m not going right away and will never leave Hawaii forever. Too many roots. But we need to establish a place to land when salt water intrudes into the aquifers and our ill-maintained infrastructure dips under the curve.

Cheers! Thanks!

[flyingfysh]

19. Today (May 28) Microsoft News had a list of the prettiest towns in every state

And their Arkansas entry was: Hot Springs!!

Here is their description of the town:

Arkansas: Hot Springs
The historic bathhouses of Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, Arkansas, may now all be closed (with the exception of Buckstaff Bathhouse), but the buildings are still kept the way they were in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and open for tours. You can take in the town’s history before enjoying one of the newer, more modern bathhouses or spas in town. Multiple buildings and districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and the town is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which has multiple scenic hiking trails.